Rumour Has It: Barcelona plot move for Juventus´ de Ligt

Free agent Isco is in talks with Konyaspor after failing to complete a move to Union Berlin, the Turkish club s vice-president Mehmet Akcan has revealed.

Isco, who was released by Sevilla in December after just four months at the club, looked set for a new challenge in Berlin when he reportedly completed a medical with Union.

However, the 30-year-old s move to the Bundesliga side collapsed on Tuesday over personal terms, with both parties blaming the other.

Former Real Madrid midfielder Isco may now have found another club, though, as discussions are ongoing with Super Lig side Konyaspor.

That is correct. We are in a negotiating process with Isco, Akcan is quoted as saying by Spanish outlet AS.

I can tell you that dialogues are going well. We ar…

Federico Chiesa is relishing the chance to link up with Dusan Vlahovic at Juventus next season, with the winger confirming he is on course to return to action in September. 

Italy international Chiesa has not played since sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament injury against Roma in January that subsequently required surgery.

The 24-year-old, one of the stars of Italy s triumphant Euro 2020 campaign last year, is back in the early stages of training but will not rush his recovery programme.

My dream is to return as soon as possible, but there are schedules to be respected, he said at a Save The Children event in Turin on Friday.

The Juventus medical staff have been fantastic, helping me with everything. Now I have started to run and make changes of d…

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took training at Manchester United on Tuesday as the under-pressure manager looked set to avoid losing his job for now.

A 5-0 defeat at home to Liverpool on Sunday was the lowest point of the Norwegian s time in charge, with a third loss of the Premier League season leaving United eight points behind early leaders Chelsea.

His first-team squad reassembled at the club s Carrington training base two days on from that debacle, with Solskjaer still at the helm. He reportedly arrived early in the morning to put his players through their paces.

Senior United officials are said to have held a meeting on Monday, with executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward joined by managing director Richard Arnold and co-chairman Joel Glazer.

United have repeate…

Manchester City full-back Pablo Zabaleta has declared himself half Mancunian, half Argentinian  after making his 200th Premier League appearance for the club. 

Zabaleta celebrated his 31st birthday in fine style as City sealed a 4-0 home win over Crystal Palace on Saturday.

The Argentina international has been at City since 2008, winning two Premier League titles, an FA Cup, a League Cup and a Community Shield. 

The milestone means he joins compatriots Carlos Tevez and Fabricio Coloccini to play over 200 league games in England. 

And the 31-year-old said he was proud to reach the landmark. 

It was a good gift to get three points, Zabaleta told the Manchester Evening News. It was a special day, my birthday and my 200th Premier League appear…

Jesse Marsch believes Canada can build something special as they prepare for their Copa America quarter-final against Venezuela.

Canada are playing in their maiden Copa America and finished second in Group A behind defending champions Argentina after a win over Peru and a draw with Chile following their opening-day defeat to Albiceleste.

They now know that beating the Group B winners will set them up for a rematch against Argentina in the semi-finals if they win on Friday.

Marsch says he knew it was going to be tough when he took the job earlier this year, but has praised the “positive” support that has spurred the team forward.

I was thinking, Why did I take this job with those three opponents [coming] up?’ Marsch said. I knew when I took the job th…

Paris Saint-Germain confirmed the signing of RB Leipzig defender Nordi Mukiele on Tuesday as coach Christophe Galtier continued to shape his side.

Mukiele appeared destined to become a PSG player when Leipzig announced he had been granted absence from their squad for the DFL-Supercup due to ongoing transfer negotiations on Monday.

Despite reports of late interest from Chelsea, PSG sealed the acquisition of the 24-year-old and will reportedly pay an initial €12million fee, which could reach a total of €16million with add-ons included.

Mukiele has signed a five-year deal at the Parc des Princes, becoming the third new arrival of the transfer window after midfielder Vitinha and striker Hugo Ekitike, while left-back Nuno Mendes made his loan from Sporting CP …

Market: Under 2.5 goals

Odds: 8/15 @

Looking to extend on their promotion charge in the early hours of Tuesday, Avai will welcome Novorizontino to the Ressacada.

Starting with the hosts, while Avai might have been disappointed last season as they limped their way to a bottom-half finish, the Florianopolis-based outfit have made a string of improvements this time around. Battling it out at the top of the Serie B table and remarkably setting their sights on a lucrative top-flight return, Time da Raca have gained plenty of plaudits for their rugged approach. However, left disappointed last time out as they signed off June with a 1-1 stalemate against Amazonas, they have had to settle for a single point in all of their previous three Serie B appearances. Nevertheles…

Arsene Wenger will set a new record when he oversees his 811th Premier League match in Arsenal s trip to West Brom on Sunday.

The Frenchman has established Arsenal one of the division s elite clubs during his 21 years in north London, claiming three top-flight titles and leading them to the remarkable feat of an undefeated season in 2003-04.

While his position came under increasing scrutiny amid eight campaigns without silverware and the Gunners failing to mount consistent challenges for Premier League glory in recent years, his latest landmark provides a chance to reflect on his finer moments.

We take a look at some of Wenger s greatest games in a record-breaking career.

May 2002 Manchester United 0 Arsenal 1

United had won the titl…

Thomas Tuchel has confirmed he is in talks with Chelsea over extending his contract at Stamford Bridge.

The 48-year-old succeeded Frank Lampard as Chelsea head coach in January 2021 on an initial 18-month basis.

Tuchel then penned a two-year extension to that deal in June last year, less than a week on from guiding the Blues to Champions League glory.

Former Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain boss Tuchel is now discussing fresh terms to stay on in west London beyond the end of next season.

There are talks, Tuchel told reporters ahead of Sunday s Premier League meeting with Leeds United. 

I think given the situation where we come from, and where we are in the middle of the transfer period, it is better if I focus on my team and on sports …

Best Odds: 6/5

Bookmaker:

In what should be another incredibly exciting Old Firm derby in midweek, a high-flying Celtic will welcome defending champions Rangers to Glasgow on Wednesday night.

Celtic

Starting with the hosts, while Celtic might have initially struggled to find their feet under Ange Postecoglou, there is no doubt that the Hoops are now really enjoying life in Glasgow. With their sights firmly set on reclaiming their Premiership crown this season, the Scottish heavyweights are in the midst of what has become an eye-catching purple patch. Putting in a professional display last weekend as they picked up a 1-0 win against Dundee United on home soil, the one-time Melbourne Victory boss has seen his side win each of their last five matchups across all f…